Q: Signed a lease but I only stayed one month due to an unsafe situation at the apartment from neighbor. Landlord is aware
I signed a year lease, but felt unsafe due to a neighbor, displaying violent acts and the police was called on him several times. We only stayed for one month due to feeling unsafe, and the apartment complex are aware of these actions, but still said that we had to pay the penalty for breaking the lease early. We feel that we had no choice but to break the lease because our safety was in danger. The neighbor lived right across from me and threaten with a gun to the apartment complex that we lived in. The apartment management did not take it serious enough, and we just moved to the state not knowing what situation we were put in. We spoke with management multiple times about the situation and how we felt they really did not have any sympathy and only cared about money other than safety. We decided to leave within one month of staying and we feel that since our safety was the main issue, we should not have to pay any penalties. What should we do?
A: Your feelings are not part of the Lease. I am not dismissing your feelings at all - I don't blame you for leaving. But feeling unsafe is not a reason to leave under your lease or the law. Pay the termination fee and be done with it. I know you don't want to pay it. Pay it anyway.
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